Based on the Combat! episode “The Eyes of the Hunter” written by Esther and
Bob Mitchell

Story Copyright 2000 by
Terry Pierce

A Customized Challenge
Story and Alternative Scene

Note: What follows was inspired by the Armed Forces’
Code of Conduct signed into law by President Dwight D. Eisenhower onAugust 17, 1955. While the code is quoted in the story, it
(obviously) didn’t yet exist in written form at the time of World War II.

"Well, you know
what I think, P-F-C PaulLeMay?" Vogel taunted as he put his hands on his
knees and leaned forward to make sure he had his uncooperative prisoner’s full
attention. "I think you were
foolish enough to want to get too close a look. Now you look around. Is this close enough for you?"

Billy’s eyes shifted to
the man beside him. Cajewas rigid with anger, his features mirroring the
raw hatred on the face of the German. Somewhere over the course of the last hour, these two men had
begun a private battle of wills that it was obvious neither intended to
lose. Cajewouldn't compromise his integrity, and Sergeant Vogel
wouldn't be defeated in front of his lieutenant. The atmosphere in the room crackled with their
hostility, and Billy flinched when Vogel abruptly straightened up.

Something bad was going
to happen. Billy just knew
it. He watched Vogel talk to
the German commander and then walk to the bunker’s entrance. Vogel called in another man, a burly corporal he
addressed asMehler. AsMehlerreceived orders, Billy watched him pull out a
bayonet and affix it to his rifle.

Billy’s anxiety
increased, and he stole another look at his squad mate. Cajeappeared
to be studying his hands, but sensing Billy’s attention, he turned toward
him. Despite the tension lining the scout's face,Cajeoffered
an encouraging smile along with a careless shrug of his shoulders. Billy knew it was meant to reassure him that
whatever was about to happen, they would get through it together.

It had been like that
since they’d been captured. Cajehad taken on a relaxed and casual attitude
designed to put him at ease – not to mention, to annoy their captors – and
Billy had responded by following suit. But carrying on with that pose wasn’t going to be easy. Cajewas
in his twenties and knew how to deal with trouble. He wasn’t easily rattled. Billy, on the other hand, didn’t consider
himself to be much more than a kid, an inexperienced teenager outfitted in
fatigues. How was he supposed to
cope with this?

Vogel
approached again, and standing in front of Caje,
he barked commands at Gerste and Fruehauf,
two other guards present.They hustled forward,Gersteimmediately jabbing his rifle atCaje. Cajereacted
with irritation, frowning and pulling away, but uncrossed his legs and stood as
the sergeant growled, "On your feet."

Billy climbed off the
crate serving him as a seat and watched nervously as the guards began herdingCajeaway
from him to stand with his back to one of the bunker’s stone walls. Cajeraised
his arms to ward off their poking and prodding but otherwise offered no
resistance. WhenCajewas
in place,Mehlerretrieved a chair from a nearby table and placed
it in front of the wall, facing the scout. Cajelooked
confused and angry but remained still asGersteand Fruehauf held him at bay.

Vogel turned to Billy
and, with a sweep of his arm, directed him toward the chair. Billy swallowed and got moving as he noticedMehlercoming around to collect him. Vogel waited until Billy was seated, then took a
position a few feet away. Folding his arms across
his chest, Vogel cleared his throat and began to speak.

"Gentlemen, I’m
afraid your lack of cooperation today is going to make it necessary to become
more firm with you. Since you seem to lack
sufficient motivation to answer my questions, I’ll provide you with some. Granted, it might not be pleasant, but it will
be effective. And since we’ve already
wasted enough time, we’ll get started."

Billy stiffened, licked
his lips, and broke into a cold sweat. So finally, the Krauts were going to get rough. It wasn’t a surprise, really. He’d heard about the things they did to
prisoners sometimes. And it was only natural
they’d pick him to be worked on first. He was obviously the younger and less experienced man the Krauts
had grabbed. They’d figure he would
have the harder time taking whatever-it-was they were going to dish up – and
that he’d talk.

The question was, would
he? Billy didn’t think so,
but he’d never been through anything like this. What if he couldn’t handle it?

And Caje.What would happen to him? If he were forced to watch, it would tear him
up. The guy might even lose
it and try to intervene. But if he did, he’d only
get himself killed beforeSargeand the rest of the squad could pull off a rescue
– that is, if they were even still around. Billy’s pulse picked up. What if they weren’t?How were he andCajegoing
to get through this?

"Now I realize that
you," Vogel directed this toCaje, "are a hardened veteran and would
undoubtedly view unnecessary suffering as some kind of…" he raised a hand
to bat carelessly at the air as though shooing away a bothersome insect,
"…imagined requirement of one’s military duty."

Caje’seyes flamed at the
sergeant’s casual dismissal.

"But you…"
Vogel turned his attention to Billy and hunkered down to get on eye level with
him, "…you are still a thinking, feeling human being. One who understands that people come before
flags and glory.”

Billy was mesmerized by
the German, much as a frightened bird would be, staring hypnotically into the
eyes of a beguiling snake.

"If you were able
to save a comrade from pointless suffering – perhaps even death – you would do
so without hesitation, knowing that that’s the more honorable obligation of a
man."

"No!"Caje’svoice suddenly rang out. "Billy…"

"Silence!"
Vogel shouted.

Gersterammed the muzzle of his
rifle intoCaje’sthroat, pushing him backward. Cajegagged,
his eyes wide with pain and surprise, his hands instantly at his neck to
dislodge the weapon. Gerstejerked it away, andCajecollapsed
forward in a violent fit of coughing.

Fruehauf quickly
shouldered his rifle and grabbedCajeby his jacket. Yanking him up, Fruehauf spun him around and
threw him against the wall. Cajesagged, and the German clamped a hand on the
back of the scout’s neck to hold him in place on the stone. Gerstestepped forward to wrenchCaje’scoat off his shoulders and down his arms, then
tossed it to the side of the room. Cajewas pulled back around and left to stand, dazed
and bleeding. The guards moved a short
distance away to get rid of their weapons.

Billy stared atCaje, horrified. Already a darkening patch of skin could be seen
through the open collar of the soldier’s shirt, the angry red mark steadily expanding
even as Billy watched. Understanding what the
Krauts were going to do now, Billy was afraid.

He was afraid forCaje.

"Your friend is in
trouble," Vogel calmly resumed his talk, "because of his stubbornness
and pride. He seems unable to grasp
that we’re not playing games. But perhaps you know better?"

Filled with dread, Billy
turned toward the German.

"You must realize
that your comrade is in serious danger." Vogel momentarily shifted his eyes toMehlerbefore smiling kindly and offering, "But you can protect him
from further harm if you’ll simply tell me what unit you men are with."

Billy swallowed again
and sat mutely. Even if he’d wanted to
answer the sergeant’s question, he didn’t think he could. His mouth was so dry he doubted any sound would
come out. Not that he could give
the Kraut any information anyway. He couldn’t! It would go against
everything he’d been taught, everything he believed in, everything he knew to
be right.

But if he didn’t say
something, he’d be responsible for letting these guys takeCajeapart. And how could he do that? He’d wind up withCaje’sblood on his hands. Unconsciously wiping his sweaty palms on
his pants, Billy fretted over what to do and remained silent.

Vogel sighed. "Very well, Private Nelson. We will proceed." He stood up and signaled his men.

Billy could hardly
breathe. He didn’t want to look
at the wall, but he couldn’t keep his eyes from it. And he decided this was worse than anything he’d
imagined might happen. Where wereSargeand
the rest of the guys?

Caje still seemed shaken but watched warily as Fruehauf and Gerste advanced.They moved cautiously, as though
approaching a dangerous animal, andCaje’seyes darted back and forth between the two
men. He tensed, the muscles lining
his neck and overlaying his jaw rigid beneath pale skin now glistening with
sweat. As Billy watched,Cajebrought
up his hands and hunched forward in a fighter’s stance.

Billy couldn’t believe
it. Cajewas going to resist? He’d be shot!

Fruehauf made a grab for
the scout. Cajelashed out with a sudden right hook. Fruehauf spun away, reeling, just asGerstepounced. Staggering underGerste’sweight,Cajeswung
up his arm and slammed his elbow into the guard’s jaw. Gerstegrunted, his legs buckling, as he clawed to get an arm aroundCaje’sneck. Cajetwisted and ducked sideways in an attempt to
throw him off. Shouting for help,Gerstehung on for dear life. Cajelatched ontoGerste’sarm, flipped him over his shoulder, and flung
him off his back.

Fruehauf, bleeding from
his nose, dove forCaje’smiddle. Cajecrashed into the wall but threw out his arms to
catch himself. Fruehauf reared back,
feinted to the side, and grabbed forCaje’sleft wrist. Cajeswung
it out of reach, then thrust his hands forward to clamp them around Fruehauf’s
neck. Surprised, Fruehauf
found himself fighting for his life asCajetightened his chokehold.

Alarmed,Mehlerraised his rifle. Billy’s heart leaped into his throat and he nearly came out of his
chair, but a hand slammed into his shoulder, pushing him down again. Vogel
shouted, "Nein! SchiessenSienicht! BenutzenIhrBajonett!"

Mehlerlunged forward and
rammed the bayonet attached to his weapon intoCaje’sright leg. Cajestiffened instantly, his face registering shock,
his body paralyzed by pain. Fruehauf took advantage of the moment to wrench himself
loose. Sputtering for air, he
seizedCaje’sleft arm and slammed it into the wall. With his free hand Cajesuddenly clawed for the bayonet, butMehlerdrove the blade in deeper. Cajecried
out and jerked his head to the side, his face chalky, his eyes wild. Battling to breathe, he was pinned in place by
the knife in his thigh.

Billy turned away,
repulsed.

Gersteclimbed to his feet, and
Vogel barked at him to keep watch over Billy. Furious, Vogel strode toward the wall. He shouldered his way in betweenMehlerand Fruehauf and struckCaje.

Cajegroaned and Vogel
snapped, "Very clever, PaulLeMay. And how noble to try for a swift execution to spare your friend
the ordeal of watching what happens to you. But he can avoid that by his cooperation, not by
you forcing my hand."

Billy was stunned. Cajehad
wanted to be killed? To protect him? Directing his eyes to the scout, Billy read the
truth of the German’s words inCaje’sface and felt panicky. It was bad enough he had to sit by and do
nothing while this was going on, but to knowCajehad almost gotten himself killed on purpose was
too much.

Vogel’s voice
rose. "So I’m warning you
now that if you offer any further resistance to my men – any! – I’ll have the
two of you exchange places.Immediately!Do you understand
me?"

Sickened,Cajelooked
away.

Vogel kickedCaje’sleg, still impaled on the bayonet, and shouted, "I said do
you understand?"

"Yes,"Cajegasped
in anguish.

Vogel smiled
coldly. "Well, you can
answer a question. Perhaps with a bit more
of such coaxing you’d be willing to talk?"

Caje’sface was drawn, but his
eyes narrowed at the sergeant’s words.“Enough...to tell you…you’re a son of a bitch."

Cajearched backward, his cry
of pain sending shivers up and down Billy’s spine. Fruehauf pushed forward to secureCajein
place on the wall until the scout’s muscle spasms subsided. Blood, which had been seeping into the material
ofCaje’spants surrounding the knife, now spilled freely down his thigh,
soaking his fatigues to the knee. Billy feared that if something weren’t done to staunch the flow,Cajewould
bleed to death.

Vogel also noted the
blood loss. Turning toGerste,
he told him to take care of the problem. Gersteaffirmed the order and made his way across the room. Vogel resumed his place at Billy’s side.

Cajeappeared apprehensive atGerste’sapproach, but he didn't move, having been told what would happen
otherwise. Fruehauf shifted
sideways to giveGersteaccess toCaje’swaist. Cajetensed asGerstereached for the belt there, then he looked away
while the German fumbled with its clasp. Billy could seeCaje’sdistress at being subjected to this, and his own face flushed with
anger.

WhenGerstefinally got the belt unfastened, he jerked it offCajeand
knelt to pull it around his thigh. Cajeclenched his teeth as the strap was positioned a
few inches above his wound. He groaned asGerstegrasped him by the knee and yanked the belt back
and forth to tighten it down. By the time the makeshift tourniquet was secured in place,Cajewas
trembling and drenched in sweat.

Gerstestood and wiped his
bloody hands onCaje’sshirt. He took hold ofCaje’sright arm and stretched it out along the wall to
match Fruehauf’s hold onCaje’sleft.Cajeshifted awkwardly to
balance his weight on his good leg and fought not to react asMehlercame toward him once more.

Billy’s stomach flopped.

"Private Nelson,"
Vogel began again. "Surely you don’t
wish to see your friend die this way. This is really all so unnecessary. Simply answer my questions and he’ll be
spared. Why were you men sent
into this area?"

Billy squirmed in his
chair, trapped and tormented over whether to preserve honor orCaje’slife. How to choose between
the two was simply beyond him. Confused and frightened, he hugged his elbows to himself and said
nothing.

Impatient, Vogel spoke
to his men. Caje’sbreathing became more and more erratic as the
guards pulled his arms taut andMehlerstepped closer. Mehlerraised his weapon so that the butt of the rifle faced
forward. Looking to his superior,
he waited for a signal.

"Well?" Vogel
queried. "Your answer,
Private?"

Billy bit his lip,
looked intoCaje’seyes, and remained quiet.

Vogel nodded, andMehlerslammed the rifle butt intoCaje’supper left arm. Cajerecoiled
in pain, twisting sideways while his handlers fought to hold on. Mehlerraised
his weapon to deliver a second blow, and sickened, Billy dropped his gaze into
his lap.

"I can stop this
right now, Private Nelson. Surely you wouldn’t turn your back on your comrade at such a time
as this."

Billy’s eyes blurred
with tears as he stared at his hands. They were shaking uncontrollably, and he thrust them between his
legs in shame. Some soldier he’d turned
out to be. Not only was he cracking
up, but he was doing it in front of the Kraut. Desperate to regain control of himself, as well as to shut out the sounds ofCajebeing
brutalized, Billy struggled to focus on the code of conduct he’d learned in
basic.

I am an American
fighting man. I
serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

"I want to know if
you men are with the 361st Infantry Division."

I will never surrender
of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender my men while they still have
the means to resist.

"Surely that’s a
simple enough question for you to answer for the sake of your comrade, is it
not?"

If I am captured, I will
continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid
others to escape. I
will never accept parole nor special favors from the enemy.

"If you do answer,
your friend will be released and receive immediate medical attention. And it would appear that he’s in some need of
it."

If I become a prisoner
of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part
in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those
appointed over me and will back them up in every way.

"Of course, if you
don’t identify your unit and explain what the two of you are doing here, it’s
likely he’ll not survive the evening."

When questioned, should
I become a prisoner of war, I am bound only to give name, rank, service number
and date of birth. I
will avoid answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements
disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.

“So what will you do?”

I will never forget that
I am an American fighting man, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the
principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and the United States of
America.

By nowCajehad
become quiet, and worried by that, Billy dared to see what was happening to
him. Cajewas slumped against the wall, his chest heaving,
his eyes glazed and unfocused. Gerstestill had a hold on him, but Fruehauf had moved
a few feet away. Billy hopedCajewould
pass out and grieved at the sight of the soldier’s left arm.

Vogel became
angry. "You have no
compassion for your friend?"

Billy had no
response. In despair, he only
wondered how he had gone from working a detail to sitting in hell.

"I pity him
then," Vogel snapped. He looked to his men and barked an order in his own language.

Fruehauf stepped up to
graspCajeby
the left shoulder. GersteforcedCaje’sright arm out straighter. Cajeblanched
and, moaning, attempted to pull his arm back in. The guards jerked him
into position, incapacitating him with pain. Mehlerclosed in to deliver another blow, andCaje, stretched over the wall, resumed writhing.

"One must wonder
how much damage your comrade can suffer before he’s no longer worth
saving," Vogel commented. "Much like the horses used in the service of our army, it may
become more expedient to dispatch him."

Startled, Vogel turned
toward the wall. "Well, now,"
he said after a moment, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "It would seem your friend has finally come
to his senses. At last he realizes a
man can only be expected to endure so much." The sergeant turned back to Billy. "After all, one’s life is precious. Even in war, patriotic duty has its
limits."

"My death,"Cajeinterrupted,
his voice hitching with every breath, "is all right." He looked into Billy’s eyes, conveying what he’d
already chosen, what he wanted, what he was asking for in spite of the price he
would pay. "It is right."

Billy stared at him and
finally remembered whatCajehad intimated earlier – that whatever was about
to happen, the two of them would get through it together. Together.It had beenCaje’sexpectation then; it became Billy’s resolution
now. Cajewould die – Billy would allow him that – but the
two of them would remain soldiers, brothers-in-arms, fighting the enemy. It was how they’d started the mission and how
they would end it.

By now realizing he had
misunderstoodCaje’sdeclaration, Vogel bellowed,
"Enough!" Glaring at Billy, he
thundered, "You will answer my questions, Private!"

Billy straightened up
and folded his hands in his lap. Still looking atCaje, he answered, "My name is William Nelson,
Private." His voice was clear and
steady. "My serial number
is 4375436.”

Cajesmiled and closed his
eyes.

Vogel stared at the boy
in front of him, unable to comprehend what he’d just heard, what the Americans
intended, what he now knew would be the outcome of this interrogation. No one in the room moved or said anything. Reddening in fury, Vogel snatched the sidearm
from the belt at his waist and, bounding forward, thrust the gun intoCaje’sface.

Billy closed his eyes
and held his breath.

"Feldwebel!"

Startled, Vogel jerked
around at the sound of the lieutenant’s voice. “Ja, HerrLeutnant?"

The lieutenant spoke
quietly – and unexpectedly – in English. "The soldiers under my command will contend
with defeat at the hands of superior forces in an honorable manner. To do otherwise is detestable and a disgrace to
the uniform. You will return to your
duty."

Vogel looked as if he’d
been struck.

"Feldwebel,"
the lieutenant’s voice was firm, "your duty."

"Ja, HerrLeutnant." Vogel immediately holstered the pistol. His face remained flushed but became devoid of
all expression as he turned away fromCajeand moved stiffly to the other side of the
room. Resuming his place at
his desk, he buried himself in radio transmissions.

Speaking in German now,
the lieutenant issued orders to the other soldiers present. Mehlercrossed the room and disappeared outside. Gersteand Fruehauf went into action gathering rifles, several lengths of
rope, and their captives. The lieutenant watched
them for another moment, then returned to his work.

Billy was prodded from
his chair and toward a darkened passageway leading deeper into the
bunker. NearingCaje, he
saw the battered soldier pulled from the wall and forced to follow him. Cajewas
limping badly and had to struggle to keep up. When he reached the tunnel’s entrance, he stumbled andGersteshoved him forward. Cajecollided with Billy and, gasping at the pain
tearing through his arm and leg, nearly fell. Billy managed to catch him in time to prevent it
and helped him the rest of the way through the passage.

They entered a cramped
chamber that seemed little more than a juncture leading into another
tunnel. Fruehauf reached for
Billy and forced him to the floor. Billy stiffened in resistance but wound up sitting against the
chamber’s rear wall.

Fruehauf brandished his
rifle, motioning atCajeto get down. Gerste,
carrying the rope, knelt off to the side. Cajeawkwardly
began lowering himself, but impatient, Gerstepulled the wounded man’s left leg out from under
him. Cajefell against the wall and slid to the
floor. In complete misery, he
couldn't suppress his moans as his ankles were lashed together and his wrists
bound.

"Hey, he can’t go
anywhere,” Billy protested. “Why are you doing that to him?"

He was rewarded for his
concern by being ignored.

Gerstefinished tyingCajeand
moved on to Billy. Grasping Billy’s ankles,
he wrapped a short length of rope around them. Bringing up the end of the rope, he looped it
over Billy’s wrists several times, then knotted it in place. Gerstegot to his feet and nodded at Fruehauf. Both guards exited the chamber, finally leaving
the prisoners alone.

Billy glared after them
before turning his attention toCaje. Cajewas leaning against the wall, his eyes closed,
his left shoulder held lower than his right to relieve the pressure the bonds
were putting on his broken arm. Blood still oozed from the wound in his leg, and Billy wondered if
the Krauts were going to supply a medic and, hopefully, some morphine
soon. Cajeneeded both.

Almost as though knowing
Billy’s thoughts,Cajespoke. "Hey, kid. You figure they went to get Doc?" His voice sounded strained and uneven, matching
the quality of his breathing. He paused as he was wracked by more muscle spasms, then managing
something like a laugh, he added, “Well, let’s hope not…for Doc’s sake.”

Billy didn’t know what
to say. Cajewas in such bad shape it hardly seemed possible
he’d be trying to take the edge off what had happened to put somebody else at
ease, but that was exactly what he was doing. And considering how he’d letCajesuffer,
Billy couldn’t bear it.

"Billy? You okay?"

Overcome by emotion,
Billy blurted, "Caje, I’m really sorry."

"Sorry?" Cajeshifted
himself carefully to see the younger man. "What
for?"

"For
what they did to you.And…I don’t know," Billy groped for words,
"for just sitting there and doing nothing. I couldn’t help you."

"Gosh, I didn’t do
that!" Now it was Billy who was
surprised. "If it hadn’t been
for that Kraut lieutenant…"

"Yeah,"Cajemurmured,
"and the lieutenant." A faint smile appeared at his lips, and closing his eyes, he
leaned against the wall again. "But don’t…sell yourself short, Billy. If he hadn’t seen you…that you…" Cajemumbled
something else Billy couldn’t quite make out, then he seemed to relax, his head tipping forward as
his body slumped sideways.

Billy grabbed for him
and managed to latch onto the unconscious man’s shirt. Cajewas
heavy and hard to hold on to, but Billy was determined not to let him fall. He hauled the scout back in toward himself and
propped him up with a shoulder. Then as Caje settled into Billy’s side,
Billy leaned into him to provide more support. It wasn’t a big thing to do, but it was
something.